Customers stand in line for a Chick-fil-a meal at the chain's restaurant in Wichita, Kan., on Wednesday. Aug. 1, 2012. The crowd was buying meals to show their support for the company that's currently embroiled in a controversy over same-sex marriage. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister, declared Wednesday national "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." Opponents of the company's stance are planning "Kiss Mor Chiks" for Friday, when they are encouraging people of the same sex to show up at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country and kiss each other. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle, Travis Heying)

SUWANEE — During the noon hour on Wednesday, the crowd inside the Chick-fil-A restaurant on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road swelled so much it was difficult to open a door to walk inside.

Two cars exiting the parking lot and drive-thru simultaneously nearly collided as they stopped for another vehicle entering the lot.

The line of cars waiting in the drive-thru wrapped around the building and up on the embankment to enter the parking lot. Several customers walking in for the restaurant’s signature chicken sandwich and waffle fries parked in adjacent spaces around the Horizon Village Shopping Center.

That kind of scene played out around Gwinnett County and the country as customers showed support of the business after its president recently said in an interview that he supports a traditional marriage.

In Braselton, customers parked at a McDonalds’s next door, while in Loganville, some drive-thru customers waited in line for 45 minutes.

At the Suwanee location, Mark Chestnut said he expected to see some protesters outside of the restaurant, but was surprised that there weren’t any when he walked in.

“I’ve always liked Chick-fil-A,” said Chestnut, a Suwanee resident. “I think it’s noble that they’re standing up for what they believe in. I want to support it.”

Greg Treadwell, the general manager of the Suwanee location, said, “we love our customers,” but referred all other questions to the corporate office.

Rick Wagner, also a Suwanee resident, said he came out for America and to support “the red, white and blue.”

Wagner said he’s “very much” in support of the restaurant’s stance on traditional values, but also the chance to voice their opinions.

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press last month that the Atlanta-based company was “guilty as charged” for backing “the biblical definition of a family.” Gay rights groups and others answered with calls for boycotts.

“Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was created by our fans, not Chick-fil-A,” said Steve Robinson, the company’s executive vice president of marketing, in a statement. “We appreciate all of our customers and are glad to serve them at any time. Our goal is simple: to provide great food, genuine hospitality, and to have a positive influence on all who come in to Chick-fil-A.”

Opponents of Cathy’s stance have planned “Kiss Mor Chiks” for Friday, asking people of the same sex to show up at Chick-fil-A locations and kiss each other.

Will King, a Roswell resident who visited the Suwanee location, said he supports traditional marriage, but he couldn’t pinpoint why the reaction was so widespread.

“I’ve been surprised that the gays and lesbians have been so up in arms about it,” King said. “Because I do feel like most Americans are for traditional marriage.”

Comments

All Cathy said is that he stands by the Biblical teaching that God instituted marriage to be between a man and a woman. He never said they hate gays, will not hire gays, will not serve gays or will in any way harrass gays. Why is it that liberals misconstrue a mere difference of OPINION as HATRED?

OK Numerouno I game, what rights? You answered your own question in the second sentance when you said "HE IS FOR DENYING" not Chick-fil-a. I mean when you get right down to it whats different between straight people and gay people other than what they do in the privacy of their home.

Love is not defined by a piece of paper and if it is that is a pretty shallow way to commit to another person. Your rights, his rights and my rights are spelled out in the Bill of rights written by our fore fathers, so again I have to ask what rights?

That's irrelevant. I believe gay couples should be able to make health decisions for their partners in case of incapacitation (one of the benefits of marriage) and be able to stay with their partners in ICUs and all other health care facilities (another marriage benefit.) Why shouldn't they?

Absurdly funny! I hate bigotry but I don't hate the bigot nor want to limit their rights, not even the right of speech to spew out their venom of hatred. If you cannot understand the difference, then you need to take an English class.

He is not in any power to deny anyone anything, but by donating money to groups who are actively fighting for legislation to deny gays and lesbians the right to marry, he is aiding and abetting a cause that I find repulsive.

Chick-fil-A gave nearly $2 million to anti gay organizations. This is not passively stating an opinion but is actively seeking to deny the rights of others to their own religious beliefs and life style choices. Denying equal marriage rights under the law to same sex couples is a form of Sharia law.

Plain silly, newsreader, He/she is pointing out that laws to discriminate against same sex marriage is based only on religious teachings and human bias. Discrimination against same sex marriage is in the Sharia law that is condemned by Christians and conservatives, yet they want to put it into our law. Pointing out this fact does not express a desire to have Sharia Law.

Chick-fil-a is a faith based business, they close on Sundays. They treat ever person with respect. Dan Cathy stated HE believes in the traditional definition between a man and a woman. I do believe that is his right! He is not depriving anyone of theirs. But the media and liberals, gay are sure attempting to deny his right to express HIS beliefs.

Side note: Our society has continued to go down that slippery path when it comes to morals and ethics. Acceptance for PC purposes is destructive to us as a nation.

Chick-fil-A has donated to the Family Rearch Council, whose "pro-family" views include:

"...one of the primary goals of the homosexual rights movement is to abolish all age of consent laws and to eventually recognize pedophiles as the 'prophets' of a new sexual order." - FRC publication, July 1999

"[Homosexuality] is the opposite of love for God. It is a rebellion against God and God's natural order, and embodies a deep-seated hatred against true religion." - Steven A. Schwalm, FRC

"I know a guy who has just entered jail, tragically, because he grew up in a lesbian household." - Robert Knight, FRC

"The homosexual rights movement has tried to distance itself from pedophilia, but only for public relations purposes." - FRC publication, 1999

"The homosexuals I knew who had been married before had already dumped their kids on their ex-wives, and were perfectly happy to see them two weeks out of the year! If they had children, what would happen when they were too busy having their sex parties?" - Yvette Cantu, FRC

I cherry picked these from a much longer series of quotes. I would recommend Googling them if you enjoy this kind of blind hate.

Gay people need to stop asking the question, "Do you like me?" And even when you don't say you hate them, it's not enough. They want all-access, and when it's not given, here comes the HISSY FIT! Then we start hearing the misinformation like Mr. Cathy gave to anti-Gay groups, then he is spewing hate, and any other lie that can be said first. There is no shame in demanding rights while overiding the rights of Mr. Cathy and anyone who choses to disagree. What is more dissapointing is people who support the Gay movement, not because they love them and want their kids to be Gay, but because the the guilt tactics and persuavise methods worked. This attack on Mr. Truett Cathy and his Chick Fila is just extortion...Now, leave me alone while I'm eating.

Bruce, The only "extortion" I see is that perpetrated by "Chic Fila" (er .. Fila what, is that a typo or a Freudian slip?). They did get the sheep to crowd their restaurants. They will pocket the money and laugh at you gullibility! And BuzzG, I have not seen anyone in these responses say that Cathy didn't have a right to express his views. But equally so, others have a right to explain that such statements are bigotry founded in misinterpretation of biblical passages taken out of the context of the times while ignoring similar statements with which they do not wish to abide. If you interest is preservation of marriage, then the scripture against divorce should be your paramount focus but few even mention the biblical limitations on divorce much less try to force them on others with laws.

Cathy can say what he wants, but large sums of profits go to American groups that are ginning up anti-gay rhetoric in Africa, supporting local legislatures that want to legalize the EXECUTION of homosexuals. Hardly a benign position and certainly not Christ-like, no?

When was the last time you saw so many “Christians” lining up in public to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked or visit the sick and imprisoned? After all, while Jesus never said a single word about gay anything, He did expressly ask His followers to do these things. Matthew 25:35-40 Instead, they ignore Jesus and go forth with smug self-satisfaction and feed themselves in His name.

You obviously have never been to events like Hosea Feed the Hungry or when 12Stone Church gave out meals last Christmas. What about the Salvation Army? Missions trips to rural areas of the US and abroad to help those in need ...

Would you like me to list other way Christians GIVE time and money to others in need since you are oblivious to what they do. You need to get out and do something for others more often pixie!

As far as clothe the naked and give water to the thirsty, you are being a bit melodramatic don't you think?

Stop cherry picking the Bible to spew your hate and bigotry towards Christianity. Nothing worse that than someone that throws out nonsense when their argument is mute!

Mr. Cathy can speak his mind in any way he pleases. That's his prerogative as an American citizen, and the fact that he can do that is wonderful, even if his opinion is reprehensible.

So, is anyone here going to try to mount an argument against gay marriage that doesn't amount to "it's unethical" or "the bible tells me so" or "I don't like 'their kind'"? I'm still waiting for a compelling reason why heterosexuals are the only group that should be permitted to marry. I have a feeling I'm going to be waiting a while...

There is no amount of argument, no matter how compelling, that would convince you. It is a waste of time and bandwidth. You are irrelevant and not worth anyone's time on this anymore. When gay animals can bond together as one and procreate, then so too can you. Otherwise, go pound sand.

For the last time I repeat. A person has a right to free speech and their own opinion without being boycotted over it. The gays are making themselves look so stupid by doing this to a private company, mainly because it is a Christian organization, something gays can't seem to handle. A practicing Christian will NOT compromise his/her beliefs in the Bible, something gays refuse to acknowledge as well. Horray for Chick-fil-A's owner. The company itself does not discriminate and even hires gays. Gays have to understand a simple fact. You can still have a great relationship with gay people but your religious views are just that, sacred, and your own opinion. I do not care what religion gays follow, if any or not. I do respect the fact of what they are and accept them as human beings. My Bible forbids gay marriage and I will always believe in that. The Bible is way higher than any "personal" belief. This is the problem with this country. Its morals are going down the tube because of people like gays because they all feel you have to live by "today's rules, not rules provided by our God. Amen.

If gays want to treat people equal, they should be leaving Georgia, a state that voted against gay marriage. Georgia is speaking out against gay marriages the same as the owner of Chick-fil-A. Why don't the gays also boycott, shutdown, or leave the state of Georgia? The Liberal gays just want their free time in the news and the Liberal media give it to them freely.